New Glarus resident Chad Fahey, owner of Uptown Pets in Monroe and Charlie's Bark Park in both Belleville and Monroe, talks about his best friend Duke, a 6-year-old German shepherd.
Duke came to Fahey as a rescue dog when he was 3 and proved to be a quick learner. After Fahey's other German shepherd Charlie died, he decided Duke would make a good partner and started using him to train other dogs, a role Charlie had filled. Fahey is allergic to bees, and Duke constantly makes sure none get too close to his owner - by eating them. "He's built up a tolerance to them because he's eaten so many," Fahey said.
Describe Duke's personality.
He's confident, steadfast and a true leader. He's also loving and nurturing, and at home he cares for a miniature dachshund and kittens. He guards our home and keeps the coyotes away from the kittens.
What do you and Duke do together?
We are obviously together all the time. He's my left-hand partner in crime. When people see Chad, they see Duke. He's allowed in a lot of stores. He's my best employee who gets paid with kibble. He's like me in that he has work on his mind a lot. He helps train new employees and helps with all the dog evaluations. He helps teach classes with me and then goes home and snuggles with my 11-year-old.
What has it been like having Duke in your life?
It's so much more fulfilling. I will never be able to get another job that I can't bring him to work. Having him by my side has advanced my skills, allowing me to give back to the dogs I train in a different way.
Duke came to Fahey as a rescue dog when he was 3 and proved to be a quick learner. After Fahey's other German shepherd Charlie died, he decided Duke would make a good partner and started using him to train other dogs, a role Charlie had filled. Fahey is allergic to bees, and Duke constantly makes sure none get too close to his owner - by eating them. "He's built up a tolerance to them because he's eaten so many," Fahey said.
Describe Duke's personality.
He's confident, steadfast and a true leader. He's also loving and nurturing, and at home he cares for a miniature dachshund and kittens. He guards our home and keeps the coyotes away from the kittens.
What do you and Duke do together?
We are obviously together all the time. He's my left-hand partner in crime. When people see Chad, they see Duke. He's allowed in a lot of stores. He's my best employee who gets paid with kibble. He's like me in that he has work on his mind a lot. He helps train new employees and helps with all the dog evaluations. He helps teach classes with me and then goes home and snuggles with my 11-year-old.
What has it been like having Duke in your life?
It's so much more fulfilling. I will never be able to get another job that I can't bring him to work. Having him by my side has advanced my skills, allowing me to give back to the dogs I train in a different way.